Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak has assured Parliament that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service is investigating allegations of sexual misconduct against the Headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai.
The minister disclosed that the case has been transferred from the regional level to the police headquarters in Accra to ensure that it receives the necessary attention and is handled in accordance with the law.
According to Mr Muntaka, the matter came to his attention on September 7, 2026, when a report was submitted to the CID. He said he subsequently directed that the investigation be moved from the regional command to the national headquarters.
He gave the assurance when responding to concerns raised by the Chairperson of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, Abena Osei-Asare, who called for decisive action against the headmaster over allegations involving female students.
The case has attracted public attention following allegations of sexual misconduct involving multiple female students, with renewed scrutiny after an investigative report by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni in October 2026.
Mr Muntaka confirmed that the headmaster has been arrested and had provided a statement to investigators.
He said the police are also pursuing forensic evidence as part of efforts to establish the facts surrounding the allegations.
The minister disclosed that investigators has been able to reach one of the alleged victims and are working towards obtaining DNA evidence.
However, he explained that the police can not proceed with the DNA process without first obtaining the necessary court order, as required by law.
“Even to take the DNA, the law requires that we go to court to secure a court order before we can do that,” he told the committee.
Mr Muntaka said the investigative process is ongoing and assured Parliament that the matter would not be abandoned.
He further expressed confidence in the Director-General of the CID, COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, saying she would ensure that the investigation is conducted without compromise.
“I can vouch with my life” that the CID director-general would not compromise the investigation, he said, adding that the case would be pursued to its logical conclusion in accordance with the law.
The disclosure follows strong concerns from Abena Osei-Asare, who questioned the length of time it has taken to address the allegations against the headmaster.
She argued that the matter requires urgent attention, particularly because of the seriousness of the allegations and the need to protect the interests of the female students involved.
The committee chairperson expressed concern that, despite the existence of what she described as evidence, the matter has remained unresolved for months.
She also questioned why the headmaster had reportedly sought to move from one political position to another while the allegations are under investigation.
According to her, public pressure has contributed to the headmaster’s reported resignation from a chairmanship position.
Ms Osei-Asare urged the Interior Minister to use the security agencies under his supervision to ensure that appropriate action is taken.
“This shouldn’t happen anywhere because if we sit here and an infraction is put on the table and quickly we have police going there to find out what can be done, and then we sit here, it’s been how many months?” she asked.
She maintained that the allegations should not be allowed to fade away without a thorough investigation and appropriate action.
The committee chairperson also stressed the need to ensure that the concerns of the alleged victims are taken seriously.
“We haven’t been fair to our young ladies,” she said, urging the minister to fulfil his assurance that the matter would be handled appropriately.
In his response, Mr Muntaka acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations but cautioned against disregarding the legal procedures governing criminal investigations.
He emphasised that an accused person must be presumed innocent until proven guilty, noting that allegations of sexual offences must be investigated thoroughly before conclusions are reached.
The minister explained that the police are working within the country’s legal framework and that the process could take time because certain investigative steps required judicial approval.
He also cited the court vacation as one of the factors that had affected the pace of the process, although he maintained that efforts had continued to advance the investigation.
Mr Muntaka appealed to members of the committee and the public to allow the police to complete their work while holding the authorities accountable for ensuring that the case is handled properly.
He assured Parliament that the investigation would not be swept under the carpet and that any further action would be taken in accordance with the law.
The allegations against the Obuasi SHTS headmaster have generated considerable public concern, particularly over the safety and welfare of students in educational institutions.
The case has also raised questions about institutional accountability, the handling of complaints involving students and the speed with which allegations of sexual misconduct are investigated.
Ms Osei-Asare’s intervention reflects growing calls for the relevant authorities to demonstrate that allegations involving students will receive prompt and impartial attention.
The Interior Minister’s assurance that the case is being handled at the CID headquarters is expected to place further scrutiny on the progress of the investigation.
However, the allegations remain subject to investigation, and the outcome will depend on the evidence gathered and the applicable legal processes.
The police are expected to establish the facts, while any decision on prosecution will be guided by the evidence and the law.
By 1960news.com
